"Touch Him"

"And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole".  Matthew 14:36

In the story of the woman with the issue of blood and in the lives of many others who pressed in to touch the hem of Jesus' garment, they were all healed of their infirmities.  These were real, literal physical healings.  But there is something "symbolic" that we see from these accounts.  It is the "touching of Jesus".

When was the last time you "touched Jesus"?  We can't touch Him in a physical sense like they did, but we can touch Him, nevertheless.  When we go into our place of prayer, that is the best opportunity we have to touch Him.  But too often in prayer we are too rushed to wait for that "touch".  Or all we are interested in is presenting our "wish list" and having it fulfilled.  When this is all that the time of prayer is to us, we are robbing ourselves.  

When they physically touched Him, virtue flowed into their bodies.  That virtue was so powerful that it healed every disease they had-- regardless of how horrific it was, incurable it was or how long they had been plagued with it.  If we would spend time waiting in His presence to "touch" Him, His virtue would flow into us and bring that which we need.

It would give us the peace and joy we need.  It would give us wisdom and grace.  It would empower and strengthen us.  It would enlighten us and give us clarity.  It would bring healing to our minds and emotions. It would remove fear, worry, anxiety, confusion, depression and bring deliverance from the bondages that ensnare us.  And it can still bring healing to our bodies.  All that we need is still in His presence.  We just have to be willing to reach out and touch Him to get it.  

Have a great day.  When was the last time you touched Jesus?     

"The Place Of Rejoicing"

"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it".  Psalm 118:24

There are many days when I get up that I don't know what the Lord would have me to do that day.  I don't know in which direction He might lead me to go or to where He might order my steps.  Even on the days that I know what I will be doing-- going to work, visiting at the nursing home, buying groceries, etc.-- I still don't know what "specific task" He might want to direct me to do. 

While I don't always know what I am to do each day, I do know one thing I am to do-- rejoice and be glad today.  When I don't know what else I should do to fulfill His plan for my life, I know I am to rejoice.  When I rejoice, I am in His will.

I can rejoice, and will rejoice, in spite of difficulties, in spite of heartache and in spite of trials.  I can rejoice for many reasons.  Where do I start?  I woke up this morning, for one.  I have my right mind.  I am sitting here at this computer.  But more than that, I can rejoice because my name is written in the Book of Life.  I have peace with God through Jesus Christ.  I know that He is with me and will never leave me.  I can enjoy unbroken fellowship with the Father.  His Spirit who guides me is dwelling in me.  I have His word to guide my steps.  I have His joy that is unexplainable.  I am living in His grace and He supplies all my needs.  I can spend time rejoicing because of His goodness toward me.  

Maybe you are wondering-- "What would You have me to do today, Lord?  Where would You have me to go?"  While you are waiting for Him to show you something specific, you already have some direction-- go in the direction of rejoicing.  Go to that wonderful place of rejoicing in Him and His goodness. 

Have a great day.  If you aren't sure what the Lord wants you to do today, one thing He wants you to do is rejoice.